Posts Tagged ‘hardscaping’

In my quest to find outdoor products that help alleviate rainwater run-off problems, I asked landscaper Connie Cadotte of Garden Retreats to recommend some products for eco-friendly landscaping. Her preferred for a joint compound is Envirobond.

EnviroSand

Envirobond makes two types of permeable organic joint compounds (for putting between paving stones) and one permeable pavement. EnviroSand and EnviroStone are used just as any sand or polymeric joint compound would be between paver blocks or stones. (The difference between EnviroSand and EnviroStone is in the aggregate. EnviroSand is finer than EnviroStone and is specifically developed for putting between pavers.)

When regular sand is used as a joint compound it will erode with one or two heavy downpours. Sand also promotes weed growth as organic matter settles and rests in between the stones. It requires a fair amount of maintenance in order to keep the paver/stone area clean and looking good.

EnviroSand and EnviroStone are blends of sand or stone with an organic plant product similar to psyllium fiber. As water meets the material, the EnviroSand or Stone absorbs the water and swells, not only reducing the amount of erosion but also preventing weed growth. Further, because the product is completely organic, it is also permeable, meaning that rainwater is absorbed back into the ground reducing run-off.

EnviroStone

EnviroSand is used for setting between pavers (such as Interlock products)

EnviroStone is used for setting between stone such as flagstone

EnviroPave is used for trails and walkways.

A few things to keep in mind regarding EnviroBond:

It’s best used in sunny areas where the area is able to dry out on a regular basis. Staying in water for too long will affect the compound’s stability.

It cannot be used over top of a non-porous surface such as cement as it would prevent proper drainage.

It needs a certain amount of maintenance and care after 2-3 years (touch-ups and some minor refilling in spots)

While it can be used with sealers, sealing it will block its permeability (however, sealing around a pool area will help the product last longer).

Like this:

Toronto is one of the densest cities in North America which has both negative and positive consequences. One of the negative consequences to all of the concrete, glass and steel is the lack of porous or permeable land to absorb rainwater which means it runs off into the sewer system. In older areas of Toronto the sewers are combined, meaning they carry both water run off from the streets and untreated sewage. In torrential downpours the sewers and treatment plants can’t always handle the heavy loads and untreated water can back up and end up in the local streams and watersheds, Lake Ontario or even your basement. In addition to sewage, the water picks up any contaminants that have been left on the ground when it’s not raining and these contaminants also end up polluting local watersheds. Contaminants could be things like motor oil leaked onto the road, effluents from electronics left outside for garbage pickup, and hazardous liquid waste such as paint thinners that have been poured down the sewer instead of being disposed properly.

If more water could be diverted away from the sewer system less contaminated water would enter lakes and streams better protecting local wildlife and watersheds.

In certain wards in Toronto, mandatory downspout disconnection was passed as a by-law in 2007. Residents in the affected wards have been given three years to disconnect their downspouts. Click here to find out if you’re in one of the affected wards. There are instructions (with pictures) showing how to disconnect the downspout here.

As water issues have come to the forefront, methods and materials for diverting rainwater from sewers and to help replenish groundwater systems have become more popular. When it comes to landscaping there are many opportunities to help keep water on your land and avoid sending it into the sewer.

Driveways, pathways and patios all tend to be hard surfaces and they typically are the areas that increase water run-off. These areas are part of the “hardscaping” side of landscaping. However, there are materials that can be used to help prevent water from entering the sewer system.

Unilock Heritage Brown Eco-Prioria Permeable Pavers

Permeable pavers: Permeable pavers are specifically designed interlocking concrete blocks that are set farther apart than regular pavers. The pavers are specifically designed to maintain space between them so that water can drain between them. Unilock makes several different styles of permeable pavers. They are meant to be used with Unilock’s crushed stone aggregate (filler between the pavers) to promote maximum absorption of rainwater under the heaviest of conditions. The blocks themselves are designed so that there is a distinct gap between each block, while the porous aggregate fills in between the blocks. They can be used for patios and walkways too. Making sure as much water as possible stays on your property promotes ground water replenishment, keeps your lawn and plants healthy and will ease pressure on our aging sewer system. See the list of Unilock dealers here.

One note about using permeable pavers. There is a certain amount of maintenance involved. They should be swept on a regular basis or organic matter will build up in the crevasses. Eventually seeds can settle and germinate causing plant growth between the blocks.

For the most part we rely on third party organizations to determine what is and isn't a "green building material." The only time we might not is when products are locally produced or no third party green designation is available for the product.